Zenith Investment Partners’ long-standing CEO, David Wright, will step down from the role at the end of the year, transitioning to the new role of Investment Director. The Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Jason Huddy, will move into the CEO role.

Wright said that after much consideration and reflection, the decision to step down from the CEO role was a very logical and pragmatic one.

“Now is the time to ‘pass the baton’ to Jason. Given his time with the business and strong understanding of Zenith’s operations and client base, I’m confident our clients, stakeholders and staff will be in good hands under his leadership. I believe that the business requires an experienced, strategic leader and Jason is that leader.

“I’m genuinely looking forward to remaining with the business and using my extensive fund research and portfolio management experience to support the portfolio solutions, research and sales teams to deliver on their client service responsibilities. My new role allows more time to focus on areas of the business which I’m really passionate about.”

Wright will remain on the local Board and Executive team.

Huddy joined Zenith as COO in 2019 and has over 30 years’ experience in wealth and funds management. Starting with National Mutual (AXA) in Perth, he then spent over 16 years with Macquarie, including 3 years leading its banking and financial services business in the UK, before then moving to NAB Capital Markets, NAB Asset Management and more recently as Executive Director of a Melbourne-based boutique funds manager.

“I’m delighted to be moving into the CEO role and also to continue to work with David and our broader team in delivering our research, portfolio and data services to clients. Over recent years, Zenith’s fund research and managed account capabilities have significantly expanded to include the super research services of Chant West, and the data and technology capabilities of our parent company, FE fundinfo. We continue to be an ambitious company for our clients and staff and I look forward to continuing the client-focused growth that David and the team have achieved to date.”

Wright said he is very proud of the business he has helped build, and while stepping down was not an easy decision, he believes that it is the right one for the business and allows him to spend more time working directly with clients and staff.

“Zenith is a business that I have been intimately involved in building over the past two decades and I remain committed to its success. Our collective achievements over that time have exceeded our expectations and I remain confident that under the changed leadership structure, the business is on a strong path to deliver its high-quality product and service offering to clients.”